Mahfud repeats warning on military takeover

Mahfud repeats warning on military takeover

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Mahfud MD repeated his
warning on Tuesday that political chaos and anarchy would prompt
the Indonesian Military (TNI) to take over the country.

The often outspoken Mahfud said there were no signs yet of a
military takeover, but the armed forces (TNI) would step in to
prevent anarchy and the break-up of the world's fourth-largest
nation.

"There are two things that could lead to TNI taking over,"
Mahfud told reporters before meeting with President Abdurrahman
Wahid.

"If the politicians fail to lead this country and, secondly,
if there is chaos or anarchy which cannot be controlled, then the
TNI can take action. They don't want to see this country break
apart."

Mahfud's warning came amid mounting conflict between
Abdurrahman and the House of Representatives, over an
investigation into two financial scandals allegedly linked to the
President.

A report containing the findings of the investigation was
handed over to the House's plenary session late on Monday by a
House special team and the lawmakers are expected to hold on a
debate and decide whether to accept or reject the report's
conclusion on Thursday.

Demonstrators have picketed parliament almost daily in the
past week, either supporting the probe or backing Abdurrahman's
stance that it was illegal.

Speaking on the sidelines of a gathering of Muslim
organizations on Monday, Mahfud said TNI was bound to its code of
conduct obligating it to preserve the unity of the nation, but
warned that it held weapons.

Despite the intense political situation, Mahfud appreciates
the circumstances and that the House could have ideas that differ
from the President's.

"A situation like this would never have occurred during the
last 32 years under the New Order regime when all of the state
institutions obeyed the President completely," Mahfud said.

Earlier a group of Nahdlatul Ulama Muslim clerics from East
Java had warned certain groups in the House against toppling
Abdurrahman, saying such action would incite unrest among the
people and ulemas in the province.

Akiq Zaman, who led group, said that both ulemas and the
people of East Java would not tolerate the political conspiracy
to unconstitutionally topple the President that was being engaged
in by some legislators.

The group said the House should remain critical of the
government but the criticism should not be out of proportion.

They said the House should respect the President's five-year
term of office as it was guaranteed by the constitution.

The nation will be facing a chaotic situation and pay dearly
if the President is forced to step down now, they asserted.
(byg/rid/rms)